When we lived in Florida my wallet and phone were taken while we were visiting a Disney Resort. I assumed I had just misplaced it or that it fell out somewhere and it would soon be returned. But when we tracked it on “Find My Phone” and saw that it was moving farther and farther away, reality set in…it was stolen and I knew I would never see it again.

Fast forward to one year later…

Lily and I went to Hollywood Studios while the older kids were at school.

We saw Sofia the first, watched the Playhouse Disney Show, played at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, and then stopped for lunch at the Starring Rolls Café. As we were in line to pay I reached into my purse to pull out my (new) wallet only to find that it wasn’t there. My heart sank. And then I noticed that my (new) phone was missing as well.

I was sick.

I knew it was stolen.

They were both in my purse and my purse was constantly crossed over my shoulder. But it was also unzipped and frequently moved behind me. I knew I didn’t just misplace it and I also knew I was never going to see it again.
That’s what happened before so of course that’s what was happening again.

I brushed my negative thoughts aside for the moment and rushed to guest services. As soon as the cast member asked how she could help, I burst into tears and somehow communicated that my phone and wallet were missing. She immediately asked me what it looked like and where I last saw it, etc, etc. She went to the back to look in the lost and found but came back empty handed.

I wasn’t surprised. I knew it was gone forever.

While I was waiting for security (and trying to control my emotions), the sweet cast member that was helping me asked Lily if she wanted to go out and play with her. I don’t know what they did or where they went (she probably had a personal meet and greet for all I know!) but Lily came back about 15 minutes later, happily carrying a brand new stuffed toy. Even through my sadness I was reminded just how considerate Disney truly is.

It was a little tender mercy for me.

While at guest services I used their phone to call Jonathon (who was at home). While I was talking with him he was able to track down my phone using “Find My Phone” and luckily found that it was indeed STILL in the park!

He watched on his computer as it moved down the streets of America and then eventually back to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. I ran (while pushing Lily in the stroller) back to the playground to find out from a cast member (who incidentally found Lily earlier in the day because I had lost her. Seriously, that playground is like a black hole.) that my wallet AND phone was turned in and being walked up to guest services by a cast member.

I’ll never know how it mysteriously left my purse nor who was walking around with it but I didn’t care.

It was returned this time.

I couldn’t believe it.

As I was waiting in line at guest services to retrieve my phone and wallet I starting thinking…what is the lesson in all of this? Why did I have this experience?

You see, I truly believe that everything in our life happens for one reason or another. Our experiences (large and small) shape us into becoming better. They teach us lessons that God needs us to learn.

So as I said a prayer asking God what my lesson was. It came to me very quickly and very clearly. It was this:

Just because something happened one way in the past doesn’t mean that’s how it’s going to play out in the future.

I almost laughed out loud.

God knows me so well! I’m generally very optimistic about life, love, people…everything. But one thing that has always been hard for me to wrap my head around is how to be optimistic or have faith when it’s never worked out for me in the past. I get stuck in doubt and fear.

This hiccup was the perfect experience to show me that even though my phone and wallet were taken and never returned to me in the past, that outcome didn’t have to be how it played out in the present.

God is in control.

When we move forward with faith (no matter what the past has shown us), we can expect great things in our lives.

I have thought about my lesson many times since then. I didn’t realize just how many times my mind falls into my old way of thinking of letting my past control my future. But because of what God taught me I’ve been choosing faith instead of fear.

I’ve been letting go of the past and having faith in the future.

It’s not always easy. I’ll be the first one to admit it.

My mind is constantly trying to pull me into a pattern of doubt and fear. What if… What if… What if…

HOWEVER… I can’t allow it. I have to exercise my faith OVER my fear.

“Faith and fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see. You CHOOSE.”
~ Bob Proctor

Dallin H. Oaks said,

“I say choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear. Choose faith over the unknown and the unseen. And choose faith over pessimism.”

It’s a choice.

It really is.

You will be amazed how your outlook will completely change once you make the choice to believe.

The enemy is trying his darndest to make you miserable. Don’t let that happen. Make a choice to believe in your future. Have faith in your future. Even if your past has NEVER worked out.

Because remember:

Just because something happened one way in the past doesn’t mean that’s how it’s going to play out in the future.

Welcome to Being Katie Brave! I’m so happy to have you here. If you’re looking to take better pictures (stress-free!), get the inside scoop on all things Disney World, or be inspired to live YOUR best life (even if especially if it scares you to death) …you’re in the right place. I ’ve written 3 photography books, our family lived at Disney World for 2 years, and wear my heart on my sleeve…all of which would never have come to pass if I didn’t push past my fears and step in the darkness. Join me as I share my adventure of life, one post at a time.

No Comments

Join Me!

About Me

Welcome to Being Katie Brave! I’m so happy to have you here. If you’re looking to take better pictures (stress-free!), get the inside scoop on all things Disney World, or be inspired to live YOUR best life (especially if it scares you to death) …you’re in the right place. I’ve written 3 photography books, our family lived at Disney World for 2 years, and I wear my heart on my sleeve…all of which never would've come to pass if I didn’t push past my fears and step in the darkness. Join me as I share my adventure of life, one post at a time.